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Letter from Eugene A. Philbin to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Eugene A. Philbin to Theodore Roosevelt

Eugene A. Philbin assures President Roosevelt that the Ellis Island hearings will not be allowed to become an attack on the Roosevelt administration for campaign purposes. Philbin met with the “gentleman from the West” regarding an unnamed matter and made it clear that the gentleman’s suggested solution was not possible. Philbin discusses two enclosed articles on public education, morality, and the Catholic Church.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-10-07

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from William H. Taft to Theodore Roosevelt

Governor Taft reviews recent events in the Philippines, including negotiations over the acquisition of the friars’ lands, difficulties with merchants, the construction of an electric trolley railway, and a survey for a new Manila water supply. General Wood has taken hold of Moro Province with “vim and vigor.” Robert Taft has returned to the United States for preparatory school, and Helen Herron Taft is not ill but needs “building up of her nerves.” Taft has been horseback riding for exercise and hopes to continue this activity when he returns to Washington, D.C. He would like an exception made so his horse can accompany him back to the states.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-22

Letter from John Thomas McDonough to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from John Thomas McDonough to Theodore Roosevelt

Justice McDonough of the Supreme Court of the Philippines is surprised by the rumors that he has been “antagonizing the Commissioners,” so he explains to President Roosevelt his interactions with Governor William H. Taft and General James Francis Smith. McDonough discusses the conflict between the Catholic friars and the government and expresses regret that the friars wish only to deal with Taft and not Smith, the latter of whom has been described harshly by Filipino Catholics. For his own part, McDonough has been reticent to denounce the friars because he sees their potential to preach peace, lawfulness, and loyalty to the United States and because he upholds freedom of religion in the Philippines. He also sees the sale of the friars’ lands as “purely a church question.” These privately expressed opinions aside, McDonough assures Roosevelt that he has been careful with his words and has not opposed Taft, Smith, or Vice Governor Wright in any way. He also quells a rumor that he has sought a seat of his own on the commission, expressing his desire merely to “serve this court with credit” before returning to Albany. He closes with a postscript requesting financial and transportation assistance for him and his family to return home when his term in the Philippines is over.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-14

A protest

A protest

Resolution passed at a meeting of the New York and New England Ministerial Conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod protesting against President Roosevelt sending condolences on the death of Pope Leo XIII and therefore officially recognizing the papacy. The synod opposes the Catholic Church due to its stance on religious freedom and separation of church and state.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-27

Protest by Lutherans

Protest by Lutherans

The New York and New England ministerial conference of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod adopted a resolution protesting against President Roosevelt sending condolences on the death of Pope Leo XIII. The Lutherans in attendance believe this action gives official recognition to the papacy and damages the separation of church and state.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-08-29

Letter from John Ireland to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from John Ireland to Theodore Roosevelt

John Ireland, archbishop of St. Paul, praises President Roosevelt’s courtesy in sending a sympathy message to the College of Cardinals on the death of Pope Leo XIII, noting that it will incline the Vatican to respond positively to future requests from him. Ireland recently talked with Archbishop Quigley, who reported that many Catholics in Buffalo support Roosevelt. Ireland discourages the President from accepting an invitation from the Federation of Catholic Societies, which is controlled by bishops and monks who are stirring up sympathy for Catholics in the Philippines. Ireland hopes for a “great landslide” of Catholics to the Republican Party next year.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Letter from Richard Campbell to Theodore Roosevelt

Letter from Richard Campbell to Theodore Roosevelt

The main Philippines question that interests American Catholics is the proposed government purchase of the holdings of the religious corporations. Richard Campbell believes that the whole future of church-state relations on the islands depends on the solution to this issue. The friars are demanding exorbitant prices and the papal delegate, Monsignor Giovanni Battista Guidi, appears to lack the authority to force a settlement. There is often violence against the religious corporations as they are viewed as an extension of the old Spanish administration. Campbell found many faults with the Spanish administration but compliments them on bringing and maintaining Christianity in the Philippines. He believes that the new bishops will be the key to handling the land purchases and the church will decide what to do with the friars. The general conditions of the islands are well and Campbell compliments the work of Governor Taft, Vice Governor Wright, and Commissioner Ide.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-09-30